Heckfield Place loses its executive chef
Barnaby Jones has moved on to become executive chef of Christophe Harbour in St Kitts & Nevis, having held the role of executive chef of Heckfield Place since June 2014. It is not known who will replace him in the role.
The 60-bedroom hotel, which is being developed within a late 18th century manor house, is owned by Morningside Private Investors, a venture capital group founded in 1986 by the Chan family of Hong Kong.
Once used as a training centre and wedding venue, the property - set within 400 acres of grounds - it was originally due to open as a hotel in April 2012.
Since that time, a succession of staff have joined and left the hotel without serving a single guest. Charles Oak, appointed as the original general manager is now managing partner of hospitality consultants, the Quercus Partnership; Chris Staines, the first executive chef now heads up the kitchen and food and beverage operation at the Abbey hotel in Bath; and Skye Gyngell, appointed culinary director in 2012 now runs Spring restaurant at Somerset House in London.
Husband-and-wife general managers Henry and Char Gray were the latest to be put in charge of the hotel, around two years ago, but left last year. Henry Gray is now based in Bangkok after being appointed vice-president of operations at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, in July 2016.
No-one from Heckfield Place was immediately available to comment.
Heckfield Place still has no opening date following loss of joint GMs >>
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